Question 1 (1 point)

Which of the following is a microbial protective structure?

A) Ribosomes

B) Pili

C) Plasmids

D) Endospores

Endospores are fascinating! They are a unique survival mechanism used by certain bacteria, allowing them to withstand extreme conditions like heat, desiccation, and even radiation. When environmental conditions become unfavorable, these resilient spores form inside the bacterial cell and can remain dormant for years until conditions improve, at which point they can germinate and restore the active bacterial cell.

While endospores are superstars when it comes to durability, pili play an important role in bacterial adhesion and communication. These hair-like structures help bacteria stick to surfaces and each other, which is essential for colonization and forming biofilms. So, whether it’s survival or connection, microbiology has some clever tricks up its sleeve!